"Life" stars Brad Pitt and Sean Penn in a story about an 11-year-old boy who "has his first glimpses of sickness, suffering and death. The world, once a thing of glory, becomes a labyrinth," according to Summit Entertainment's website.

Malick had previously been considering helming "Held by the Taliban," based on the account by The New York Times reporter David Rhode of his 2008 capture, along with two Afghan colleagues. Considering his ramped up prductivity -- he waited 20 years between "Days of Heaven" and "Thin Red Line" -- he may yet do both.